The way we style our hair is a form of self-expression, or maybe just boredom, but either way, there are a lot of ways we can modify our hair to our liking. We can straighten super curly hair or add some waves if it’s pin-straight. Maybe you want to dye it a soft lilac shade for spring or a fierce platinum blonde just because. As awesome as all of these options are, they come at a price (ya know, in addition to what you’re paying your hairstylist), and that price is severe damage.
I know, I know. It sucks. Too many hot tools or dye jobs and your once-soft and smooth hair is now brittle, unmanageable, and full of split ends. If you’re a fan of frequent color changes, you’re probably familiar with the straw-like texture that occurs after using peroxide, especially if your hairstylist didn’t properly condition after coloring. Heat damage can be even worse if you’re constantly blow drying, curling, or straightening your hair.
So, what can you do to prevent damage from happening in the first place? The simplest answer is to avoid chemicals and heat and be gentle with your hair to avoid mechanical damage, which can occur if you use tight hair elastics that are too rough on your hair. Since that’s not a fun way to live, there are other options. If you still want that platinum blonde look, do your research and go to a reputable salon and have a conversation with your hair colorist about how to maintain your newly color-treated hair. As for heat damage, use hot styling tools sparingly, and don’t fry your hair by holding them in place for too long. If you have a lot of split ends and breakage, get a haircut! Even a trim will make you feel as good as new, plus it will be easier for your hair to grow once you get rid of all those split ends. If you want to prevent damage at home, or if you need to bring life back to your already-damaged hair, we’ve got some ideas.
Did you know that wet hair is more prone to breakage than dry hair? This means that a stiff brush could break and damage post-shower hair, but we have a solution. The Wet Brush has soft and flexible bristles that will glide through wet (and dry) hair. It will gently detangle and comb through damaged hair virtually pain-free. You won’t want to go back to a regular brush after using this.
Adding some volume in the form of waves and big curls is possible without a hot curling wand. It may seem dated to some of us, but curlers and rollers are actually still a thing. Using a curling rod like this will still add volume and curls, just without all the heat damage.
It’s okay if you can’t say goodbye to your hot styling tools, just make sure to use a product like the ghd Heat Protectant Spray before you use them. This is a nice, lightweight spray that won’t feel sticky or heavy like other brands sometimes do.
If your hair is damaged from heat, chemicals, or both, switch to shampoo and conditioner specifically designed for damaged hair. The Aveda Damage Remedy line contains quinoa proteins that will bring your hair back to a silky-smooth texture.
The Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3 is one of the most popular products in the haircare market, and it seems like almost everyone with damaged hair is loving it. Using a unique bond-building technology, it will relink broken bonds caused by all types of damage, and on all types of hair.
Curly-haired girls can face a lot of damage from chemicals and heat styling, so the DevaCurl Seaweed Strengthening Mask is a great treatment for people with curly and tightly-coiled hair. The mask contains seaweed, sea lavender, and a vegan protein blend that will repair, moisturize, and strengthen even the most damaged curly hair.
A leave-in treatment is a quick and easy way to revitalize your hair and repair any damage. The Living Proof Leave-In treatment will make your hair stronger, silkier, and smoother, and can be used after every wash.
One last tip is to follow the directions on all hair care products to avoid any further damage. For example, keratin treatments are a great way to strengthen damaged hair, but too much keratin can make your hair brittle so you only want to use it once a week. Make sure your shampoos and conditioners are safe for color treated hair and take it easy on the straightener. Your hair will thank you.
by Clare Saxton
cover photo: Helena Christensen in Valentino Couture shot by Arthur Elgort
